An
access method for periodic contention-free sessions (PCFS) reduces interference between overlapping first and second
wireless LAN cells contending for the same medium. Each
cell includes a respective plurality of member stations and an access point (AP)
station. The
access method for periodic contention-free sessions (PCFS) includes a fixed
cycle time that reduces conflicts with PCFS from other cells. The PCFS from several cells are repeated in cycles of cycle period (CP), which is the contention-free period (CFP) of an access point times a factor that is a function of the number of overlapping cells. Periodic contention-free sessions (PCFSs) are generated, one from each overlapping
cell. PCFS transmission attempts occur at the fixed specified time spacing following the start of the previous cycle. Each active AP sets a
timer at CP and a PCFS is initiated when the
timer expires. The
timer is then reset to CP and this starts a new cycle. Contention transmissions are attempted by stations based on their assigned priority. If a channel is busy at the designated
start time for transmitting a PCFS, the PCFS is shortened by the time lost.
Interleaving PCFSs and CFSs reduces conflicts with CFSs from other cells. To lessen the contention between APs of different cells, each
station's
Network Allocation Vector (NAV) and Inter-BSS
Network Allocation Vector (IBNAV) is updated by an increased value of the next CFS length, the increment being the inter-BSS contention period (IBCP). APs will attempt to access the channel during the IBCP only for transmitting a PCFS, while they will wait for the NAV and IBNAV expirations before attempting to transmit a CFS.
Interleaving PCFSs and CFSs also enables maintaining
quality of service (QoS).